Article holder



June 11, 1935.

W. H. lNMAN ARTICLE HOLDER Original Filed July 5, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WZZaJn fllizman June 11, 1935. w. H. 'INMAN 'ARTI-CLEHOL'DER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 5, 1932 "/ZZSATTOR EY June 11, 1935. w. H. INMAN 2,004,326

ARTICLE HOLDER Original Filed July 5, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 VENTOR I %z's ATTORNEY vw. H. INMAN ARTICLE HOLDER June 11, 1935.

Original Filed July 5, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 %2:SATTORNEY Patented June 11, 1935 PATENT'VOFFICE' 2.004.326 alt'rlcuz nomna William Inman, Newark, N.

Y., assignor to Bloomer Bros. Company, Newark, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July '5, 1932, Serial Renewed May 17, 1933 18 Claims. (Cl. 229-29) This invention relates to article holders, and more particularly to those made of sheet material and arranged to resiliently support and cushion fragile articles such, for example, as

eggs. One object of the invention is the provision of a holder of this class whichnot only effectively cushions and supports the eggs, but which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture. Y

Another object is the provision of a holder of this kind adapted to be used as a one-piece cushioning filler arranged to be removably positioned within an outer enclosing box, or, with slight alterations, as a complete one-piece container in which the eggs are enclosed and resiliently supported. I

A further object is the provision of such a filler which when removed from the enclosing box constitutes a tray-like member adapted by itself 20 to retain and resiliently cushion the eggs or other articles positioned therein. i

- A still further object is the provision of such a holder which may be easily and quickly erected to provide a plurality of cushioned article receiving compartments, or may be collapsed substantially into a plane for storing or shipping.

An additional object is the provision of a holder constructed so as to expose a large part of the contained articles to permit ready inspection thereof.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification. 4

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a one-piece filler or tray constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the filler in the collapsed or folded position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the sheet from which the filler is formed; v

' Fig. 5 is an end view of the box in which the filler is adapted to be removably positioned;

Fig. 6 is a front view of thebox illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the box illustrated in Fig. 5 in the folded or collapsed condition;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the collapsed box shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely of the box sho the relation of the filler thereto;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation view of the box and filler illustrated in Fig. 9 with the front of the box cut away so as to show more clearly the arrangement of the various parts of the filler;

Fig. llis a plan view of the box and filler with the cover in open position and partly broken away;

Fig. 12 is a front elevation view of a modified construction arranged to form a one-piece,container; t

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 with the front wall cut away to show more clearly the construction of the parts comprising the container.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the container illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 with the cover in open position and partly broken away;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely through two adjoining containers of the type illustrated in Figs. 12, 13, and 14 showing the line contact formed between the two containers;

Fig. 16 is a bottom view of the container illustrated in Figs. 12, 13, and 14 in the collapsed or folded condition;

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line "-4 'l of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the blank from which the container is formed;

Fig. 19 shows still another modification in which the one-piece filler is formed to provide three rows of cells;

Fig. 20 shows a modified form of one-piece container similar to that illustrated in Fig. 15 but formed with three rows of cells;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the filler illustrated in Fig. 19 when removed from the box and collapsed; v I

Fig. 22 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 22--22 of Fig. 21; and

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the center line of the container or filler showing means for locking the center partition portion and'the transverse par tition members in interengaging relation.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

This invention is embodied in the present instance. by way of illustration, in an article holder adapted to resiliently Support and cushion fragile articles such, for example, as eggs. The holder is made from a single piece of cardboard, or

other analogous substance, suitably cut, scored adapted to resiliently support andcushion the eggs, a central longitudinal partition-portion intermediate the bottom portions and extending upwardly therefrom, and a. transverse wall from which transverse partition members are swun upwardly to cooperate with the longitudinal portion to maintain the bottom portions in erected position and to provide a plurality of article receiving compartments. The blank may be thus formed to provide a one-piece filler and egg holder adapted to be removably positioned within an enclosing container, or, with modifications, as a combined one-piece filler and container. The filler is adapted to effectively support and cushion the eggs independently of the enclosing box or body portion. 0

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown what is known in the trade as a 2 x 6 filler formed from a single strip of cardboard scored along the parallel lines 36, 31, and 38 to divide the strip into four main sections, Fig. 4, designated by the numerals 40, 4|, 42, and 43. Each of the sections 40 and 42 is provided with an intermediate score line 50 which divides the section into members 5| and 52 which when folded on the score line 50 are arranged to form a V- shaped bottom portion, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9. The V-shaped bottom portions are separated by means of an upstanding partition portion 55 which extends upwardly from the bottom portions and is formed by folding the motion 4| of the strip upon itself by reason of the score line 56. The partition portion extends the full length of the filler and provides a central longitudinal partition member which divides the container into two rows of cells, each of which is provided with a cushioning bottom and is adapted to receive six eggs or other fragile'articles.

The section 43 of the strip is hingedly secured to the outer edge of one of the inclined bottom members 5|, as shown in Fig. 4, and may be folded on the score line 38 so as to extend transversely of the container in a substantially horizontal plane. The free edge of the section 43 is provided with an integral securing flap 60 hingedly' secured thereto along the score line 6 l. The :flap 60 may be adhesively or otherwise attached. to the opposite inclined bottom member 5| to secure the section 43 thereto, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9.

A plurality of partially severed tongues 65 are formed from the section 43 by means of a plurality of transverse slits 56, spaced longitudinal slits 61 extending along the score lines 38 and GI, and diagonal slits 68 connecting the slits B6 and 61. The slits 66, 61, and 68 are arranged so as to leave small triangular shaped tabs Ii which connect the tongues 55 to opposite sides of the bottom, as shown in Fig. '1. These tabs are scored at 12, in alinement with the slits 56, to enable the'tongues 65 to be swung upwardly out of the plane of the attaching tabs II and into spaced vertical planes to provide transverse partition members which extend across the container and divide the rows-of cells formed by the partition portion 55 into six separate compartments, each adapted to receive a single article '15 thereof extend across and bridge the tops of the V-shaped bottom portionsand are secured thereto at the lower corners thereof. The upper edges 1G thereof preferably lie in the horizontal and folded to form V-shaped bottom portions plane of the top of the partition portion, as shown in Figs. 1 and 9.

Each of the transverse partition members or tongues 65 is formed with a slot extending upwardly a short distance from the lower edge I5 thereof and adapted to receive the lower part of the partition portion 55. The upper or unslotted portions of these transverse members are disposed in registering slots 8| which extend downwardly from the upper edge of the'portion 55 substantially in the planes of the erected transverse members. The bottoms of the slots 8| terminate substantially in the plane of the bottoms of the slots 80. These slots 80 and 8| thus afford means for assembling and securing the longitudinal and transverse partition members in proper interengaging relation to form a plurality of ,article receiving compartments. The upperends' 82 of the slots 8| are preferably enlarged or flared out to facilitate the insertion of the unslotted portion of the transverse members.

The longitudinal portion 55 is preferably locked to and supported by the transverse partition members 65 so as to maintain the bottom members 50 and 5| in inclined relation. This locking means comprises, in the present embodiment, a plurality of lugs 83, of the shape best shown in Fig. 23, which extend across and partly close the upper 'ends of the slots 8|. These lugs are arranged to extend through registering apertures 84 in the complementary transverse son of the interlocking engagement of the longitudinal portion 55 with the transverse members 65. The transverse members thus not only provide means for holding the longitudinal portion against lateral movement and for dividing the rows of cells into article receiving compartments, but also afford supporting means for the longitudinal portion and the bottom portions and thus secure the latter inclined against a. very substantial degree of pressure so as to maintain effective cushioning supports for the eggs. I

When the filler, with its contained eggs, is stored or shipped, it is positioned within an outer enclosing box or body portion made from a single piece of cardboard having a bottom 95, ends 96, back 91, front 98, and a cover 99 with a closing fiap I00. The flap I00 preferably extends the full height of the body portion and rests on the bottom 95, see Fig. 9, to afford a support for the cover 99. The filler is preferably so constructed that when positioned within the box, the transverse members 65 and the longitudinal portion 55 extend to the top of the body portion and engage the under side of the cover 99 to assist the flap I00 to support the cover and to prevent it being pushed down and crushing the eggs.

The above described one-piece filler thus not tion into a plurality of article receiving compartments, but also affords resilient bottoms therefor which effectively cushion and support the articles. This filler also provides a tray-like member adapted to be used independently of the body portion, and, when so used, provides an adequate support and cushion for the eggs. This tray-like member, when removed from the box,

they will remain fresh, but also facilitates the I removal of individual eggs therefrom.

The body portionsand fillers are separately bundled and shipped from the carton manufacturer to the egg packer in a collapsed or knocked down condition. The box or body portion may be readily collapsed substantially into a plane by reason of the diagonal score lines I01 and I02 arranged on the ends and front wall respectively, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The

29 filler is collapsed by-disengaging. the lugs 83 from the apertures 84 and flattening the longitudinal portion 55 into the plane of the ad- J'acent bottom members 52. The outer bottom members 5| are then bent on the scorelines 50,

and, with the collapsed tongues 65, overlie the portion 55 and the bottoms-members 52, to provide a thin" flat article, as shown in Fig. 3.

This one-piece filler may be elaborated to provide a one-piece container, illustrated in Figs. 12

30 to 18, which is formed from a strip of cardboard scored-and foldecLin the manner heretofore described in connection with the filler, to provide inclined bottom members 5la and 52a, an upstanding central longitudinal partition portion 55a, and transverse partition members 65a pivotally secured at their lower corners to opposite sides of the bottom and arranged to swing upwardly therefrom. In this embodiment, however, the bottom members 5m and 52a are pref- 4Q erably of unequal inclination, but, ifdesired, they may be made of equal inclination as shown in connection with the filler illustrated in Fig. 1. The parts of the one-piece container which correspond to those of the filler are designated by Ithe same numberwith the addition of the letter a.- For example, the transverse partition members of the filler are designated by the numeral 65, and the transverse partition members of the container are designated by the numeral a.

The container is provided with a cover section Ma, and front and rear wall members 45a and 46a hinged to opposite edges of the cover along the score lines Ma and 48a. The cover and wall 55 members are integral with and hingedly secured to the rear bottom member 55a along the score line 59a. The cover can, when the container is in erected position, extends across and rests on the topsof the longitudinal and transverse parco tition members, and the front and rear wall members 45a and 45a extend downwardly in engagement with the edges of the transverse members,

as clearly illustrated in Fig. 15.

In containers of this class, it is desirable to (35 provide means for locking the cover in closed position. To this end, the free edge of the front wall member 450. is provided with a plurality of prongs or hook-like members 85a. which extend downwardlybetween the front group of tabs Ha and engage the inner face of the front inclined bottom member 51, see Fig. 15. Each of the members 8511. is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 86a arranged along the free edge of the member 45a and adapted toreceive a portion of the adjacent tab Ha, as shown inFig. 12,

front-row ofi'tabs Ha thus not only provide a means for securing one end of. the transverse members to the bottom and for locking the containef in closed position, but also afford a support for the front wall 45a and thus cooperate with the transverse and longitudinal members to support the cover a, so as to prevent the latter from being pushed'down and crushing the 88 When the usual type of filled containers are stored or shipped, they are arranged side by side so that the side walls of one container contact for-substantially the full height thereof with the side walls of the container on either side. As these side walls are relatively weak, any blow or pressure thereon may break or crack the eggs within the container. To reduce the possibility of such breakage, the side walls of the above described container are preferably tapered as shown in Fig; 15, to slightly space the side walls of adjacent containers. By means of this arrangement, adjacent containers contact only along the upper corner line, as shown at )5, Fig. 15; and, as these corners are much stronger than the side 'walls and "as they are spaced from the eggs within the compartment, the possibility of breakage is thereby materially reduced.

Empty containers of this class are usually shipped in the knocked down, or collapsed condition for obvious reasons. To collapse the container, the center partition portion 55a is disengaged from the transverse members 6512 and moved downwardly so that the inclined bottom members 52a and the, partition portion 55a lie in the same plane. The outer bottom members 5la are then folded on the score lines 5011, and, with the collapsed tongues 55a, overlie the portion 55a and the bottom members 52a. The back 46a and the cover a are then folded to overlie 'the tongues 65a and the front bottom member 5m, and the front 45a with its hook-like member 8511 is then folded on the line 51a to overlie the bottom face of the adjacent bottom member 52a. The entire container may be thus folded or collapsed substantially into a. plane, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 17.

Referring now to Fig. 19 there is shown another modification of the one-piece filler which provides what is known in the trade as the 3 x 4 arrangement, that is, three adjacent rows of cells each of which is divided into four separate article receiving compartments. This. filler is formed in the manner above described to provide three rows of cells each having inclined cushioning bottom members 5lb and 52b folded along the score line 50b, upstanding partition portions 5% intermediate the rows of cells, and transverse partition members 651: hingedly secured to opposite sides of the bottom and extending upwardly,

therefrom to divide the rows of cells into four separate article receiving compartments. The partition portions 55b preferably terminate slightly below the tops of the transverse members, as clearly shown in Fig. 19. The filler is arranged to be removably positioned with an outer box or body portion formed in the manner here'- tofore described. Corresponding parts of the filler and body parts are designated by the same numeralsas in Figs. 1-11 with the addition of the letter b. The filler, when removed from the body portion may be collapsed into a plane as shown in Figs; 21 and 22.

This 3 x4 filler may be slightly elaborated to I a form a 3 x 4 container illustrated in Fig. 20. This container is feed in the er described in connection with the container illustrated in Figs. 12-18, except that in this embodiment the bottom members are of equal inclinations, as illustrated in the 3x4 filler shown in Fig, 19. The parts of the 3x4 container are difleren'tiated from the corresponding parts of the 2 x6 container by the addition of the letter 0.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is therefore not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit oi. the invention .or the scape of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An article holder comprising a strip of sheet material formed to provide a bottom having an inclined cushioning portion with a substantially central longitudinal partition portion, and a transverse member secured to opposite sides of said bottom and having a.plurality of tongues folded therefrom to extend upwardly above said member to form :with said center partition portion a plurality of article receivingcompartments.

2. An article holder comprising a strip of sheet material formed to provide a bottom having an inclined cushioning portion with a substantially central longitudinal partition portion, and a transverse member secured to opposite sides of said bottom and formed to provide a plurality of tongues pivotally attached adjacent their lower corners to said bottom and arranged to be swung upwardly above said pivotal attachment into spaced vertical planes to form with said center partition portion a plurality of article receivin compartments.

3. An articleholder comprisinga strip of sheet material folded to provide V-shaped bottom portions with a substantially central longitudinal partition portion, and a plurality of transverse partition members attached adjacent their lower edges to the outer sides of said bottom portions and arranged to swing upwardly relative to said attachment to form with said center partition portion a plurality 01 article receiving compartments.

4. An article holder comprising a strip of sheet material having a part thereof folded upon itself to provide a vertical central partition portion terminating at its lower edges in inclined bottom portions, and a transverse member secured to opposite sides of said bottom portions and out to form a series of tongues swung upwardly above said member and into engagement with said parltition portion to hold said bottom portionsiii inclined position.

5. An article holder comprising a strip of sheet.

said bottom and slitted to provide a plurality of tongues arranged to extend upwardly from said member to form in longitudinally spaced relation along said center partition portion a plurality of article receiving compartments.

6. An article holder comprising a strip of sheet.

material formed to provide .a bottom having an inclined cushioning portion, a substantially cen-- tral longitudinal partition portion, a cover, side ly secured to one edge of said bottom to connect said cover and side members thereto, and a transverse member attached to opposite sides of said bottom and formed with a plurality of tongues arranged to be swung upwardly from said member to cooperate with said partition portion to maintain said cushioning portion in inclined position and to divide said holder into a plurality of article receiving compartments. e v

'7. An article holder comprising a strip of sheet material formed to provide V-shaped bottom portions with a substantially central longitudinal partition portion, a cover, side members hingedly hingedly secured at their lower cornersto said bottom and arranged to swing-upwardly into engagement with said partition portion and to cooperate therewith to hold said bottom portions in erected position and to divide said holder into a plurality of article receiving compartments, and locking means arranged along the free edge of the other of said side members and adapted to engage a part of said transverse member to hold the cover and side members in closed-position.

8. A container comprising in combination, an enclosing body portion, and a removable collapsible filler positioned within said body portion, said filler being formedfrom a single piece of sheet material suitably scored and folded to provide a bottom member having an inclined wall to afiord a cushioning support for articles held therein and an upstanding center longitudinal partition portion, and a plurality of transverse partition members pivotally attached adjacent their lower corners to said bottom member and arranged to x be swung upwardly from said attachments into spaced vertical planes to form with said partition portitsin a plurality of article receiving compartmen 9. A container comprising, incombination, a

collapsible body portion having a top, bottom, sides and ends, and a collapsible filler removably positioned within said body portion, said vfiller comprising a single piece of sheet material formed to provide V-shaped bottom portions and a subbeing formed to provide a plurality of to ues ar-- ranged to be swung upwardly from said member into engagement with saidpartition portion and cooperating therewith to maintain said bottom portions in erected position and to divide said filler into a plurality of article partments.

10. A container comprising, in combination, an enclosing body having a bottom, ends, sides, and a cover having a closing flap, and a collapsible filler removably positioned within said body portion, said filler being formed from a singlestrip of sheet material folded into substantially W-shape receiving comto provide V-shaped bottom portions and an up-- standing center partition portion extending substantially to the top of said body portion, and a plurality of transverse partition members pivotally secured adjacent their lower edges to said bottom portions and extending upwardly therefrom into engagement with said partition portion to hold said bottom portions in erected position and to divide said filler into' a plurality of article receiving compartments, said filler, when removed fromlsaid body portion, aflording a tray-like display carton adapted to resiliently support and cushion the articles positioned within said com partments.

11. An article holder comprising a strip of sheet material formed to provide a bottom having an inclined cushioning portion with a substantially central longitudinal partition portion, a transverse member secured to opposite sides of said bottom and formed to provide a plurality of tongues spaced longitudinally along said central partition portion and arranged to extend up wardly above said member to form with said central partition portion a plurality of article receiving compartments, and means for locking, said partition portion and said tongues in interengaging relation to support said cushioning portion.

12. An article holder comprising a strip of sheet material formed to provide a bottom having an inclined cushioning portion, a substantially central longitudinal partition portion, a cover, side members hingedly secured to said cover, a transverse member secured to opposite sides of said bottom and slitted to provide a plurality of tongues arranged to extend upwardly from said member to formwith said center partition portion a plurality of article receiving compartments spaced longitudinally along said central partition portion, and means for locking said partition portion and said tongues in interengaging relation to support said cushioning portion.

13. An article holder of sheet material comprising a bottom having an inclined cushioning portion, a substantially central longitudinal partition portion, and a transverse member secured to opposite sides of said bottom and formed to provide a plurality of tongues arranged to extend upwardly above said member to form in longitudinally spaced relation along said center partition portion a plurality of article receiving compartments. v

14. An article holder of sheet material comprising a bottom formed to provide substantially V shaped cushioning portions, a longitudinal partition portion between said V-shaped portions, and a transverse member secured to opposite sides of said bottom and having a plurality of tongues transverse member in engagement with said partition portion to support the same and said cushioning portions and form therewith a plurality of article receiving compartments.

15. An article holder of sheet material comprising transversely inclined article supporting and cushioning portions, a substantially central longitudinal partition portion, and a transverse member in the lower part of said holder having a plurality of longitudinally spaced tongues folded therefrom to extend upwardly above said member to form in longitudinally spaced relation along said central partition portion a plurality of. article receiving compartments.

-16. An article holder of sheet material comprising substantially V-shaped article supporting and cushioning portions, a longitudinal partition portion between said V-shaped portions, and a transverse member in the lower part of said holder formed to provide a plurality of longitudinally spaced tongues arranged to extend upwardly above said member to form with said partition portion a plurality of article receiving compartments.

1'7; An article holder made from a single strip of sheet material cut and folded to provide inclined article supporting and cushioning portions, a substantially central longitudinal partition portion, and a transverse member in the lower part of said holder having a plurality of longitudinally spaced tongues folded from said strip to extend upwardly above said member to form with said partition portion a plurality of article receiving compartments.

18. An article holder made from a single strip of sheet material cut and folded to form a substantially 'W-shaped portion providing substantially V-shaped article supporting and cushioning portions, an upstanding longitudinal partition portion, and a transverse member in the lower part of said holder having a plurality of longitudinally spaced tongues folded therefrom to extend upwardly above said member to form with said partition portion a plurality of article receiving compartments.

WILLIAM H. INMAN. 

